American Coast Guard gravely injured while vacationing on Ambergris Caye

Friday, December 11th, 2015

A 26-year-old American Coast Guard was gravely injured while vacationing in Ambergris Caye. The victim of the incident was Jennifer Smith who was stabbed while walking the beach back to her hotel on Thursday, December 10th shortly before midnight. Since her the attack, Smith has been transported to the United States of America for further medical attention as her injures are considered life threatening. San Pedro Police have launched a full investigation and are seeking a Hispanic male in connection to the assault.

On Friday, December 11th, Deputy Coastal Executive Officer, Assistant Superintendent Henry Jemmott indicated to The San Pedro Sun that the incident was a robbery assault. He further stated that upon hearing of the incident, police visited the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II where they found Smith suffering from two stab wounds; one to the back of the head and another to her back close to her spinal cord. After receiving immediate medical treatment, the victim was airlifted to Belize City for intense medical care at Belize Medical Partners Clinic. It was not until Friday after 2PM that Smith was responsive enough to give a detailed account of the attack to the police.

"The victim reported that while walking to her hotel near the center of San Pedro Town, she was approached by a Hispanic male who asked her for $20. Smith denied him the request and as a result he proceeded to stab her twice with a knife. The attacker then escaped the scene," said Jemmott. Immediately after giving the police report, Smith was airlifted out of Belize to the USA due to her critical condition.

Investigations into the incident have commenced but police still have no suspects. Anyone with further information into the matter are asked to contact the San Pedro Police Department at 206-2022.